Andrew Burt spent his final moments trying to rescue his stepfather Ernest Foss Jr. from the oncoming flames of the Camp Fire, before both succumbed. But his devotion to those he loved long preceded that final heroic act.

The 36-year-old former East Bay resident spent the last 11 years of his life caring for Foss and his late mother, Linda, first in the East Bay then in Paradise.

Andrew Burt, 36, of Paradise, is shown in an undated photo, and is believed to be missing in the wake of the Camp Fire that consumed the town where he was a caregiver for his stepfather Ernest Foss Jr., who died in the wildfire. (Family photo)

“I don’t know how many 25-year-olds or 36-year-olds who would choose to do that,” said Angela Loo, Burt’s stepsister and Foss’ daughter, who visited the Paradise home regularly.

Burt was an avid video game player, particularly of “Grand Theft Auto V” and “Team Fortress 2.” The first game was one way he kept in touch with friends and family, like his older brother James. The second game involved collectible hats, which dovetailed with his extensive collection of real baseball caps he kept in pristine condition and would trade and sell online.

“There’s this photo of him in a NASCAR hat, a beer in one hand and a sparkler or Roman candle (firework) in the other,” James Burt said. “Right there, that’s how I’ll remember him.”

James Burt recalled growing up with Andrew and having a shared passion for the role-playing card game “Magic: The Gathering” since their childhood days. James was actually on his way to Paradise to spend some time with his brother playing that game and video games but was delayed in his travels, incidentally by a car fire.

Andrew Burt was a game playmate to his nieces and nephews, preparing his old toys for them and giving them baseball caps that he meticulously searched for on the Internet.

“Not every uncle is playing dinosaurs in the back yard,” Loo said.

And belying his usual attire of a T-shirt and sweatpants, Loo fondly remembered her stepbrother as having a sharp mind about politics and avid interest in historical curiosities, ranging from Cold War conspiracies to Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic space hotels plan.

That’s on top of having a very specific taste for beverages.

“It has to be fine Earl Grey tea. Fine,” Loo said with a laugh. “He was eclectic.”

Robert Salonga is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering criminal justice and public safety for The Mercury News. A San Jose native, he attended UCLA and has a Master's degree in journalism from the University of Maryland. He previously reported in Washington, D.C., Salinas and the East Bay, and is a middling triathlete. Reach him the low-tech way at 408-920-5002.